About the work
"Blues Brothers" is a musical stage comedy at the Semperoper Dresden (Semper Zwei), premiered on 8 April 2022. Directed by Manfred Weiß, with choreography and co-direction by Natalie Holtom and musical direction by Max Renne, the production brings the story of the Blues Brothers and their songs to the stage – as a tongue-in-cheek homage to the vibrant blues scene of East Germany (GDR). It is performed in German and English.
Plot
In the spirit of the cult film, the eccentric comedy follows the Blues Brothers Jake and Elwood on their "mission", stringing together unforgettable songs: "Everybody Needs Somebody", "Sweet Home Chicago", "Gimme Some Lovin'" and more. Rather than a reverent retelling, the Dresden production wittily relocates the action into the context of East German blues and subculture and celebrates the unifying power of music. Song, dance and slapstick combine into a fast-paced, rousing evening.
Cultural significance
"Blues Brothers" shows how an opera house opens popular music and film material to a broad audience. By linking the cult story with its own regional memory – the blues scene of the GDR – the Semperoper turns the homage into a piece of East German cultural history as well. The production stands for a music theatre beyond the classical canon that brings together entertainment, live music and local identity.